More than a year before party primaries, two Republican candidates for governor squared off Monday in front of more than 450 people in Russellville, touting their individual accomplishments and future goals for the state.

Former Congressman Asa Hutchinson and current Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller each addressed the large crowd gathered for the Pope County Lincoln Day Dinner, an annual fund-raiser for Pope County Republicans, at Russellville High School's cafeteria. The local party raised more than $12,000 from the event, according to party officials.

The event all but opened the 2006 race for governor, with the race's only two announced candidates sharing equal time and facing the media and the public. It was the first time both candidates appeared together in a format where both were able to talk significantly about their ideas and goals back-to-back.

Hutchinson and Rockefeller are attempting to replace Gov. Mike Huckabee, also a Republican, who cannot seek re-election next year due to state term-limit laws. Rockefeller is also barred from seeking re-election as lieutenant governor. No Democrat has announced for the position, although Attorney General Mike Beebe is rumored to be a candidate.

Both Hutchinson and Rockefeller aimed their remarks at their personal strengths and accomplishments instead of at each other Monday, with Hutchinson talking about his plans to fight crime and drug problems in the state and Rockefeller outlining his desires to boost economic development in the state. Both received standing ovations before they spoke in a room that showed no signs of tilt toward either candidate.

Hutchinson praised the work of state drug interdiction, prosecution and treatment programs, saying more can be done to combat illegal drugs in the state. He also shared his experiences as the head of two federal agencies, saying leadership skills are needed in the governor's office.

"Leadership makes a difference here in the state of Arkansas," Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson also talked about making Arkansas a more attractive place for college graduates, many of whom leave the state after graduating from Arkansas colleges.

"Where will they go?" Hutchinson asked, speaking of the graduates. "It has been my goal through my public service to give them the best opportunities here."

Rockefeller suggested more progressive thinking with regard to economic development and job growth, saying no companies that have not originated in Arkansas presently have a corporate headquarters in the state.

"Raise your hand if you haven't said, 'Thank God for Mississippi,'' Rockefeller told the crowd, and no hands were raised. "We laugh about it, but that means we are accepting the fact that we are near the bottom of the heap. We say that's OK, but it's not.

"I still believe that Arkansas is still truly the Land of Opportunity," he added. "But it's up to us to make that opportunity."

Rockefeller did announce that he was "absolutely, unequivocally pro-life" after he said some had criticized him for "not being pro-life enough." Hutchinson also responded to criticism that he has spent too much time outside of Arkansas, saying, "This is my home, this is what I love, and this is where I want to serve."

Party has grown

Facing the large crowd Monday, both Hutchinson and Rockefeller recalled times when the Pope County Republicans weren't as numerous. Hutchinson told a story of a Lincoln Day Dinner in Russellville that had to be "pot-luck," while Rockefeller remembered one where the attendees "could just about fit in a phone booth."

Andrea Lea, the main organizer of the event, credited the strength of both candidates, along with party gains in 2004, as the reason for the large turnout Monday.

"We sold 150 more tickets than we did last year," Lea said. "That tells you that the Republican Party is growing here. And we were really proud to have two candidates of such a great quality speaking. A lot of people were eager to hear what they had to say.

"The momentum of the Republican party is growing in Arkansas, and especially in Pope County," she added.

Hutchinson recently resigned as an undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security, a position he took after a stint as the director of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. He represented the state's 3rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives until he stepped down at the request of President George W. Bush to take the DEA position.

He was overwhelmingly confirmed by the U.S. Senate for both of those presidential appointments.

Hutchinson was also a house manager, prosecuting former President Bill Clinton of impeachment charges in the U.S. Senate.

Rockefeller, the Lt. Governor for nearly a decade, was first elected lieutenant governor in November 1996 in a special election and was overwhelmingly elected to a full four-year term with 67 percent of the vote in November 1998. He was re-elected with 60 percent of the vote in November 2002.

One of Rockefeller's main goals has been to attract industries to Arkansas and to strengthen the state's existing industries.

He has supported literacy councils across Arkansas and serves as honorary chairman of the Arkansas Literary Festival.